CLEANING PRODUCT

Abstract

The need for a cleaning product comprising a spray dispenser and a cleaning composition, which provides improved crystalline grease cleaning and anti-redeposition and good initial and lasting sudsing, and hence reduced time to clean the dishes, is met by a cleaning product comprising a spray dispenser and a cleaning composition, the composition is housed in the spray dispenser and wherein the cleaning composition comprises an alkyl glucamide surfactant, and a co-surfactant selected from amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant and mixtures thereof.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cleaning product comprising a spray dispenser and a cleaning composition, which provides improved crystalline grease cleaning and anti-redeposition and good initial and lasting sudsing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally manual dishwashing has been performed by filling a sink with water, adding a dishwashing detergent to create a soapy solution, immersing the soiled articles in the solution, scrubbing the articles and rinsing to remove the remaining soils and remove the suds generated from the soapy solution from the washed articles. Traditionally an entire load of soiled dishware has usually been washed in one go. Nowadays some users prefer to clean articles as soon as they have finished with them rather than wait until they have a full load. This involves washing one article or a small number of articles at the time. The washing is usually performed under running water rather than in a full sink. The cleaning should be fast and involve minimum effort from the user. In such washing under the tap, the user typically delivers detergent to a sponge. This has the disadvantage of often dosing more detergent than is actually needed, especially when there are only a few items to be washed. Moreover, excessive amounts of detergent require more water and more time to rinse.

The use of a cleaning product comprising a spray dispenser and a cleaning composition alleviates such problems. However, it remains challenging to formulate a cleaning composition for a spray product which gives both good initial sudsing and suds mileage after spraying. Initial sudsing, often referred to as “flash” sudsing, is important to give users the connotation of good cleaning efficacy, while enduring suds indicates to the user the detergent efficacy remains during continued use.

A particularly challenging greasy soil to remove is crystalline grease, such as grease which is solid at room temperature such as animal fats, and the like. Typically, good removal of such crystalline grease has required higher levels of detergent composition applied for longer durations, e.g. soaking the dishware with the detergent, in order to soften the crystalline grease to aid removal. However, the need for such soaking time leads to more time needed to wash the dishes, and hence, less satisfied users. In addition, the removal of tough to remove greasy soils can be challenging under soft water conditions and especially hard water conditions, as can be the prevention of soil redeposition.

Hence, a need remains for a cleaning product comprising a spray dispenser and a cleaning composition, which provides improved flash suds and suds mileage, in addition to improved removal of crystalline grease soils both under hard and soft water conditions, as well as improved anti-redeposition of such crystalline greases.

WO95/20026A1 relates to liquid dishwashing detergent compositions comprising a co-surfactant selected from amine oxides, betaines, branched alkyl carboxylates and non-bridged polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, said dishwashing composition further comprises a bridged polyhydroxy fatty acid amide for improved sudsing performance. EP1078978A1 relates to surfactant mixtures consisting of fatty acid-N-alkyl polyhydroxyamides and fatty acid amidoalkoxylates. WO96/12004A1 relates to laundry detergent compositions containing a lipolytic enzyme (lipase) and specially selected primary and/or tertiary amines. EP3118301B1 relates to a cleaning product, in particular, to a cleaning product comprising a spray dispenser and a cleaning composition for making the cleaning of dishware easier and faster. JP2016198765 relates to a high foaming cleaning method for tableware, especially for removing oil from portions of the dishware which are hard to reach or unreacheable by hand. WO2017204149A1 relates to a detergent composition which exhibits excellent detergency against solid fat-containing oil stains attached to hard surfaces, including tableware, wherein the detergent composition can be applied to the hard surface via a spray. WO2017204148A1 relates to a method for washing tableware without applying thereto mechanical force, by causing a liquid detergent composition which contains not less than 1 mass % of a surfactant, not less than 1 mass % of a chelating agent, and water, to be in contact with tableware having an oil stain such as a solid fat stain, wherein the mass ratio of the surfactant and chelant is not lower than 0.25 and the liquid detergent composition has an electrical conductivity at 25° C. of not less than 0.70 S/m. JP2017210577A relates to a liquid detergent composition for tableware that has excellent low-temperature stability and can satisfactorily clean oil stains, including solid fat, attached to a surface of tableware, without rubbing with a flexible material such as sponge, and without applying mechanical force, by applying, for instance via a spray, a liquid detergent composition containing a branched anion surfactant, a glycol solvent having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and water. JP2017210576A relates to a liquid detergent composition for hard surfaces, including tableware, having excellent detergency on oil stains, including solid fat, attached to a plastic hard surface, and a method for cleaning a hard surface using the composition, the composition comprises a sulfosuccinic acid ester or a salt thereof, an anion surfactant containing a hydrocarbon group having carbon atoms of 8 or more and 21 or less and a sulfate ester group or a sulfonic acid group, a specific nonionic surfactant, and water. WO2017110773A relates to a liquid detergent composition for hand-dishwashing, including tableware, having excellent detergency on oil stains, the composition comprising a sulfosuccinic acid ester or a salt thereof, a further anionic surfactant having a hydrocarbon group with 8 to 21 carbon atoms and a sulfuric ester group or sulfonic acid group, an amphoteric surfactant, and water. WO2016110827A1 relates to a detergent solution which can be applied as a spray, for cleaning a receptacle for milk or liquid milk-derived products, the detergent solution comprising water, one or more types of surfactant and an odour absorbing compound, the surfactants dissolve greasy milk-based residues from the receptacle and the odour absorbing compound neutralises odours produced by any remaining milk-based residues not removed by the surfactants. WO2017011191A1 relates to a cleaning product comprising a spray dispenser and a cleaning composition housed in the spray dispenser, the composition comprises: 5% to 15% by weight of the composition of a surfactant system, wherein the surfactant composition comprises: ii. 40% to 90% by weight of the surfactant system of a non-ionic surfactant and 10 to 60% by weight of the surfactant system of a co-surfactant selected from anionic, amphoteric, zwitterionic and mixtures thereof; and a glycol ether solvent. U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,957A relates to an all purpose cleaning or microemulsion composition which is positioned as more environmentally friendly, which is especially effective in the removal of a mixtures of oil and kaolin soil, and which contains an analephotropic negatively charged complex, a hydrocarbon ingredient, a cosurfactant, and water. WO2019235424A relates to a liquid detergent composition for tableware and/or rigid kitchen articles, the liquid detergent composition contains (a) a non-ionic surfactant (excluding (b)) that has an HLB of 10.5 or lower, (b) a glycoside that has a C8-18 hydrocarbon group and a glycoside group that has an average degree of condensation of 0.5-3, and (c) an organic solvent that has a log Pow of 0-1.5, wherein the amount of (a) is 30-95 mass % of the total surfactant, the mass ratio (c)/(a) of component (c) to the amount of (a) is 2-8, and the viscosity of the liquid detergent composition at 20° C. is 20 mPa·s or lower. WO2019235425A relates to a liquid detergent composition for tableware and/or rigid kitchen articles, the liquid detergent composition contains (a) a non-ionic surfactant that has an HLB of 10.5 or lower, (b) a surfactant selected from amine oxide surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and non-ionic surfactants that have an HLB of 11 or higher, and (c) an organic solvent that has a log Pow of 0-1.5, wherein the (a) component fraction of the total surfactant is 30-85 mass %, the mass ratio (c)/(a) is 1-10, and the viscosity of the liquid detergent composition at 20° C. is 20 mPa·s or lower. JP2019182911A relates to a tableware and/or kitchen for cleaning dirt containing solid fat adhering to tableware, etc., having improved enzyme and composition stability, the liquid detergent composition comprising (a) 0.01% to 5.0% by weight of a sulfosuccinic acid alkyl ester having 5 to 18 carbon atoms in an alkyl group or a salt thereof, (b) 0.01% to 5.0% by weight of one or more surfactants selected from semipolar surfactants and amphoteric surfactants, and (c) enzyme, the composition further comprising water and having a mass ratio of (a) to (b) of 0.01 to 100. JP2019182912A relates to a liquid cleaning composition for tableware and/or hard articles around a kitchen, for cleaning both protein-containing soil and solid fat-containing soil adhered to tableware, the composition comprising (a) 0.01% to 5.0% by weight of an anionic surfactant, (b) 0.01% to 5.0% by weight of a semipolar surfactant or an amphoteric surfactant, and (c) an enzyme, wherein the mass ratio of (a) to (b) is 1 or more and less than 99, and the viscosity is 10 mPas or less. JP2019182913A relates to a liquid detergent for tableware and/or a hard article around a kitchen, for cleaning fat and oil stains and starch stains attached to tableware, etc., and having improved enzyme and composition stability, the composition comprising (a) 0.01% to 5.0% by mass of an anionic surfactant, (b) 0.01% to 5.0% by mass of a semipolar surfactant or an amphoteric surfactant, (c) 0.1 ppm or more and 1000 ppm or less of an enzyme, and water, with a mass ratio of (a) to (b) of from 0.01 to 1. JP2019182914A relates to a tableware and/or a liquid cleaning composition for hard articles around a kitchen, for cleaning dirt containing liquid oil adhering to the tableware, the composition comprising (a) 0.01% to 5.0% by mass of an anionic surfactant, (b) 0.01% to 5.0% by mass of a semipolar surfactant or an amphoteric surfactant, (c) 0.1 ppm or more and 1000 ppm or less of an enzyme, and (d) one or more viscosity modifiers selected from hydrotropes, with a mass ratio of (a) to (b) of 0.25 to 4. JP2019104852A relates to a cleaning method for cleaning oil stains including solid fat adhered to tableware and hard articles around a kitchen, which provides improved foaming during cleaning and defoaming during rinsing, the composition comprising (a) one or more surfactants selected from a sulfosuccinic acid alkyl ester having 5 to 18 carbon atoms in an alkyl group or a salt thereof, (b) One or more surfactants selected from a semipolar surfactant, and an amphoteric surfactant, (c) one or more solvents selected from a solvent selected from glycerin, ethanol, propanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, alkyl cellosolve (having 1 to 9 carbon atoms in the alkyl group), alkyl carbitol (having 1 to 9 carbon atoms in the alkyl group), alkyl glyceryl ethers (having 1 to 9 carbon atoms in the alkyl group), and (d) a compound containing an atom selected from calcium, zinc, copper, and boron[excluding component (a)], with a mass ratio of (a) to (b) from 1.5 to 99. JP2019104853A relates to a method for cleaning tableware and/or a hard article around a kitchen, having improved cleaning of oil stains including solid fat, and improved foaming and foaming properties, the liquid detergent composition comprising (a) one or more surfactants selected from an anionic surfactant, (b) one or more surfactants selected from a semipolar surfactant and an amphoteric surfactant, (c) one or more solvents selected from divalent or trivalent alcohols and ethers of divalent or trivalent alcohols having an alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, (d) a compound containing an atom selected from calcium, magnesium, copper and boron (excluding the component (a)), and water, wherein the total content of (a) and (b) is 20% or more of the total surfactant, and the composition has a mass ratio of (a) to (b) of 1.5 to 99. JP2019104854 relates to a method for cleaning tableware and/or a hard article around a kitchen, especially oily dirt containing solid fat adhered to the tableware and a hard article, the liquid detergent composition comprising (a) one or more anionic surfactants selected from an alkylaryl sulfonic acid type surfactant, a sulfate ester type surfactant, an alkane sulfonic acid type surfactant, an olefin sulfonic acid type surfactant, and a sulfo-fatty acid ester type surfactant, (b) one or more surfactants selected from semipolar surfactants and amphoteric surfactants, (c) one or more solvents selected from divalent or trivalent alcohols and ethers of divalent or trivalent alcohols having an alkyl group having 1 to 9 carbon atoms, (d) a compound containing an atom selected calcium, magnesium, copper and boron (excluding component (a)) and water, and the total content of the component (a) and the component (b) is 20% by mass or less in the total surfactant and wherein the mass ratio of (a) to (b) is 0.6 to 1.5. JP2019104855A relates to a washing method, a detergent composition and a detergent article, for cleaning oil contaminant containing solid fat adhered to tableware or hard articles in a kitchen even without mechanical force, which has good foam stability, and less skin irritation, using a liquid detergent composition containing (a) one or more kind of anion surfactant selected from an alkylarylsulfonic acid-type surfactant, a sulfuric ester-type surfactant, an alkanesulfonic acid-type surfactant, an olefin sulfonic acid-type surfactant, and sulfo aliphatic acid ester-type surfactant, and (b) one or more surfactant selected from a semi-polar surfactant and an ampholytic surfactant, with a mass ratio of (a) to (b) of 0.01 to 0.6. WO2019188140A relates to a liquid detergent composition which contains a component (A), a component (B) and a component (C), wherein (A) is an anionic surfactant; (B) is a specific organic solvent compound; (C) is at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of amphoteric surfactants and amine oxide surfactants; and the mass ratio of (A)) to (B) is 0.06 to 45.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a cleaning product comprising a spray dispenser and a cleaning composition, the composition is housed in the spray dispenser and wherein the cleaning composition comprises: 5% to 25% by weight of the composition of a surfactant system comprising: at least one alkyl glucamide surfactant, wherein the alkyl glucamide surfactants has the formula:

wherein in formula (I): R1 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain comprising from 8 to 18 carbon atoms; and R2 is an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and a co-surfactant selected from amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant and mixtures thereof; wherein the alkyl glucamide surfactant and the co-surfactant are present at a weight ratio of from 10:1 to 1:2, wherein the surfactant system comprises less than 3.0% by weight of the cleaning composition of anionic surfactant.

The present invention further relates to a method of cleaning soiled dishware using the product according to the invention comprising the steps of: optionally pre-wetting the soiled dishware; spraying the cleaning composition onto the soiled dishware; optionally scrubbing the dishware; and rinsing the dishware.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The need for a cleaning product comprising a spray dispenser and a cleaning composition, which provides improved crystalline grease cleaning and anti-redeposition and good initial and lasting sudsing is met by formulating the cleaning composition with a surfactant system comprising an alkyl glucamide surfactant and a co-surfactant which is an amphoteric surfactant and/or a zwitterionic surfactant, while limiting the amount of anionic surfactant being present. Such cleaning compositions have been found to better improve the softening of the crystalline grease, and hence aid its removal from the dish article being treated. In addition, emulsification of such crystalline grease is improved, leading to decreased redeposition. Moreover, since the detergent composition is comprised in a spray container, the composition can be uniformly applied to the surface of the article and left for a period in order to further loosen crystalline grease, as part of a pretreatment step before the main cleaning step. The surfactant system according to the invention comprising an alkyl glucamide surfactant in combination with an amphoteric and/or zwitterionic surfactant has also been found to provide good initial and lasting sudsing. It is believed that limiting the amount of, or even more preferably avoiding, anionic surfactant improves initial sudsing since anionic surfactants favour the formation of strong surfactant micelles and thereby inhibiting initial suds formation.

The present invention relates to a cleaning product, which is a hand dishwashing cleaning product, the product comprising a spray dispenser and a cleaning composition. The cleaning composition is comprised within the spray dispenser.

For the purpose of the present invention “dishware” encompasses all the items used to either cook or used to serve and eat food.

By “spray dispenser” is herein meant a container comprising a housing to accommodate the composition and means to spray that composition. The preferred spraying means being a trigger spray. The composition of use in the present invention foams when it is sprayed on the surface to be treated.

Cleaning Composition:

The cleaning composition is preferably a hand dishwashing cleaning composition, preferably in liquid form. The cleaning composition is suitable for spraying.

Preferably the pH of the composition is greater than 8, more preferably from 10 to 12 and most preferably from 10.5 to 11.5, as measured neat at 20° C. Preferably, the composition has a reserve alkalinity of from 0.1 to 1, more preferably from 0.1 to 0.5 measured as described herein. This pH and the reserve alkalinity further contribute to the cleaning of tough food soils.

The cleaning product according to the invention can comprise a composition having a Newtonian viscosity, such as from 1 mPa·s to 50 mPa·s, preferably from 1 mPa·s to 20 mPa·s, more preferably from 1 mPa·s to 10 mPa·s, at 20° C. as measured using the method defined herein.

Alternatively the cleaning product according to the invention can comprise a composition having a shear thinning rheology profile, such as having a high shear viscosity of from 1 mPa·s to 50 mPa·s, preferably from 1 mPa·s to 20 mPa·s, more preferably from 5 mPa·s to 15 mPa·s, when measured at a shear rate of at 1000 s⁻¹ at 20° C., and a low shear viscosity of from 100 mPa·s to 1,000 mPa·s, preferably from 200 mPa·s to 500 mPa·s, when measured at 0.1 s⁻¹ at 20° C., using the method defined herein.

Preferably the cleaning composition of use in the invention has a Newtonian viscosity.

The liquid cleaning composition typically comprises an aqueous carrier in which all the other composition actives are dissolved or eventually dispersed. As such, water can be present in an amount of from 60% to 90%, preferably from 75% to 85% by weight of the composition.

Surfactant System:

The composition comprises from 5% to 25%, preferably from 7% to 20%, more preferably from 8% to 15% by weight thereof of a surfactant system. The surfactant system comprises an alkyl glucamide surfactant. The surfactant system comprises a co-surfactant selected from the group consisting of amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, and mixtures thereof, preferably an amphoteric surfactant, more preferably an amine oxide surfactant. The alkyl glucamide surfactant and co-surfactant are present at a weight ratio of from 10:1 to 1:2 preferably from 5:1 to 1:1.5 most preferably from 3:1 to 1:1.

The surfactant system comprises less than 3% by weight of the liquid detergent composition of an anionic surfactant, preferably less than 2%, more preferably less than 1%, most preferably is free of anionic surfactant.

Alkyl Glucamide Surfactant:

The composition comprises one or more alkyl glucamide surfactants according to Formula (I):

• • Wherein in formula (I):
  • R1 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain comprising from 8 to 18 carbon atoms. Preferably, R1 is a C8-C18, preferably a C10-C16, more preferably a C12-C14 alkyl chain. R1 is preferably derived from coconut oil, since coconut oil comprises a dominance of 12 to 14 carbon atoms within the alkyl chains.
  • R2 is an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Preferably R2 is an alkyl group having from 1 to 2 carbon atoms. More preferably R2 is methyl.

The cleaning composition can comprise the alkyl glucamide surfactant at a level of from 2.0% to 12%, preferably from 2.5% to 10%, more preferably from 3.0% to 7.5% by weight of the composition.

The preparation of the alkylglucamides of the formula (I) has been well described before, such as in EP0633244, EP1110944, WO2016075080, EP0550603A, EP0550632A and EP0550651A, and is known to the skilled person. It is accomplished, for example, by condensing carboxylic esters with a secondary N-alkylglucamine, which in its turn may be prepared by reductive amination from a sugar such as D-glucose.

Suitable alkylglucamides include n-octyl-n-methylglucamide, n-decyl-n-methylglucamide, n-dodecyl (or lauryl)-n-methylglucamide, n-myristyl-n-methylglucamide, n-palmityl-n-methylglucamide and n-oleyl-n-methylglucamide, and mixtures thereof, preferably n-dodecyl-n-methylglucamide, n-myristyl-n-methylglucamide and mixtures thereof. The most preferred alkyl glucamide according to the invention is n-C12-14 alkyl-n-methylglucamide, preferably derived from coconut oil.

When derived from glucose and natural oils, such alkyl glucamide surfactants have a Renewable Carbon Index (RCI) under ISO 16128 of from 94% to 96% and are particularly suitable for use in detergent compositions to be sold under a “natural” proposition.

Suitable alkyl glucamide surfactants are commercially available from Clariant under the GlucoPure tradename. Most preferred material is GlucoPure Foam, derived from coconut oil and glucose.

Co-Surfactants:

The co-surfactants are selected from amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant and mixtures thereof. The cleaning composition can comprise the co-surfactant at a level of from 0.5 to 5.0%, preferably from 1.0% to 4.5%, more preferably from 2.0% to 4.0% by weight of the composition.

Amphoteric Surfactant:

As mentioned earlier, amine oxide surfactants are preferred for use as a co-surfactant. The amine oxide surfactant can be linear or branched, though linear are preferred. Suitable linear amine oxides are typically water-soluble, and characterized by the formula R1-N(R2)(R3) O wherein R1 is a C8-18 alkyl, and the R2 and R3 moieties are selected from the group consisting of C1-3 alkyl groups, C1-3 hydroxyalkyl groups, and mixtures thereof. For instance, R2 and R3 can be selected from the group consisting of: methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, 2-hydroxethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl and 3-hydroxypropyl, and mixtures thereof, though methyl is preferred for one or both of R2 and R3. The linear amine oxide surfactants in particular may include linear C10-C18 alkyl dimethyl amine oxides and linear C8-C12 alkoxy ethyl dihydroxy ethyl amine oxides.

Preferably, the amine oxide surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: alkyl dimethyl amine oxide, alkyl amido propyl dimethyl amine oxide, and mixtures thereof. Alkyl dimethyl amine oxides are preferred, such as C8-18 alkyl dimethyl amine oxides, or C10-16 alkyl dimethyl amine oxides (such as coco dimethyl amine oxide). Suitable alkyl dimethyl amine oxides include C10 alkyl dimethyl amine oxide surfactant, C10-12 alkyl dimethyl amine oxide surfactant, C12-C14 alkyl dimethyl amine oxide surfactant, and mixtures thereof. C12-C14 alkyl dimethyl amine oxide are particularly preferred.

Alternative suitable amine oxide surfactants include mid-branched amine oxide surfactants. As used herein, “mid-branched” means that the amine oxide has one alkyl moiety having n1 carbon atoms with one alkyl branch on the alkyl moiety having n2 carbon atoms. The alkyl branch is located on the α carbon from the nitrogen on the alkyl moiety. This type of branching for the amine oxide is also known in the art as an internal amine oxide. The total sum of n1 and n2 can be from 10 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably from 12 to 20, and more preferably from 10 to 16. The number of carbon atoms for the one alkyl moiety (n1) is preferably the same or similar to the number of carbon atoms as the one alkyl branch (n2) such that the one alkyl moiety and the one alkyl branch are symmetric. As used herein “symmetric” means that |n1−n2| is less than or equal to 5, preferably 4, most preferably from 0 to 4 carbon atoms in at least 50 wt %, more preferably at least 75 wt % to 100 wt % of the mid-branched amine oxides for use herein. The amine oxide further comprises two moieties, independently selected from a C1-3 alkyl, a C1-3 hydroxyalkyl group, or a polyethylene oxide group containing an average of from about 1 to about 3 ethylene oxide groups. Preferably, the two moieties are selected from a C1-3 alkyl, more preferably both are selected as C1 alkyl.

Alternatively, the amine oxide surfactant can be a mixture of amine oxides comprising a mixture of low-cut amine oxide and mid-cut amine oxide. The amine oxide of the composition of the invention can then comprises:

• • a) from about 10% to about 45% by weight of the amine oxide of low-cut amine oxide of formula R1R2R3A0 wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyls or mixtures thereof, and R3 is selected from C10 alkyls and mixtures thereof; and
  • b) from 55% to 90% by weight of the amine oxide of mid-cut amine oxide of formula R4R5R6AO wherein R4 and R5 are independently selected from hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyls or mixtures thereof, and R6 is selected from C12-C16 alkyls or mixtures thereof

In a preferred low-cut amine oxide for use herein R3 is n-decyl, with preferably both R1 and R2 being methyl. In the mid-cut amine oxide of formula R4R5R6AO, R4 and R5 are preferably both methyl.

Preferably, the amine oxide comprises less than about 5%, more preferably less than 3%, by weight of the amine oxide of an amine oxide of formula R7R8R9AO wherein R7 and R8 are selected from hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyls and mixtures thereof and wherein R9 is selected from C8 alkyls and mixtures thereof. Limiting the amount of amine oxides of formula R7R8R9AO improves both physical stability and suds mileage.

Zwitterionic Surfactant:

In compositions of the present invention, the use of zwitterionic surfactants as a co-surfactant can improve the removal of polymerised or “baked-on” grease. Suitable zwitterionic surfactants include betaine surfactants. Such betaine surfactants includes alkyl betaines, alkylamidobetaine, amidazoliniumbetaine, sulphobetaine (INCI Sultaines) as well as the Phosphobetaine, and preferably meets formula (II):

R¹—[CO—X(CH₂)_n]_x—N⁺(R²)(R₃)—(CH₂)_m—[CH(OH)—CH₂]_y—Y⁻

wherein in formula (II),

R1 is selected from the group consisting of: a saturated or unsaturated C6-22 alkyl residue, preferably C8-18 alkyl residue, more preferably a saturated C10-16 alkyl residue, most preferably a saturated C12-14 alkyl residue;

X is selected from the group consisting of: NH, NR4 wherein R4 is a C1-4 alkyl residue, O, and S,

n is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5, more preferably 3,

x is 0 or 1, preferably 1,

R2 and R3 are independently selected from the group consisting of: a C1-4 alkyl residue, hydroxy substituted such as a hydroxyethyl, and mixtures thereof, preferably both R2 and R3 are methyl,

m is an integer from 1 to 4, preferably 1, 2 or 3,

y is 0 or 1, and

Y is selected from the group consisting of: COO, SO3, OPO(OR5)O or P(O)(OR5)O, wherein R5 is H or a C1-4 alkyl residue.

Preferred betaines are the alkyl betaines of formula (Ia), the alkyl amido propyl betaine of formula (Ib), the sulphobetaines of formula (Ic) and the amido sulphobetaine of formula (Id):

R¹—N(CH₃)₂—CH₂COO⁻  (IIa)

R¹—CO—NH—(CH₂)₃—N⁺(CH₃)₂—CH₂COO⁻  (IIb)

R¹—N⁺(CH₃)₂—CH₂CH(OH)CH₂SO₃⁻  (IIc)

R¹—CO—NH—(CH₂)₃—N⁺(CH₃)₂—CH₂CH(OH)CH₂SO₃⁻  (IId)

in which R1 has the same meaning as in formula (II). Particularly preferred are the carbobetaines [i.e. wherein Y—═COO— in formula (II)] of formulae (Ia) and (lb), more preferred are the alkylamidobetaine of formula (Ib).

Suitable betaines can be selected from the group consisting or [designated in accordance with INCI]: capryl/capramidopropyl betaine, cetyl betaine, cetyl amidopropyl betaine, cocamidoethyl betaine, cocamidopropyl betaine, cocobetaines, decyl betaine, decyl amidopropyl betaine, hydrogenated tallow betaine/amidopropyl betaine, isostearamidopropyl betaine, lauramidopropyl betaine, lauryl betaine, myristyl amidopropyl betaine, myristyl betaine, oleamidopropyl betaine, oleyl betaine, palmamidopropyl betaine, palmitamidopropyl betaine, palm-kernelamidopropyl betaine, stearamidopropyl betaine, stearyl betaine, tallowamidopropyl betaine, tallow betaine, undecylenamidopropyl betaine, undecyl betaine, and mixtures thereof. Preferred betaines are selected from the group consisting of: cocamidopropyl betaine, cocobetaines, lauramidopropyl betaine, lauryl betaine, myristyl amidopropyl betaine, myristyl betaine, and mixtures thereof. Cocamidopropyl betaine is particularly preferred.

Anionic Surfactant:

Should the detergent composition comprise an anionic surfactant, suitable anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, those surface-active compounds that contain an organic hydrophobic group containing generally 8 to 22 carbon atoms or generally 8 to 18 carbon atoms in their molecular structure and at least one water-solubilizing group preferably selected from sulfonate, sulfate, and carboxylate so as to form a water-soluble compound. Usually, the hydrophobic group will comprise a linear or branched C8-C22 alkyl, or acyl group. Such surfactants are employed in the form of water-soluble salts and the salt-forming cation usually is selected from sodium, potassium, ammonium, magnesium and mono-, di- or tri-alkanolammonium, with the sodium, cation being the usual one chosen.

Since anionic surfactants are not preferred for compositions of use in the present invention, the surfactant system comprises less than 3%, preferably less than 2%, more preferably less than 1% by weight of an anionic surfactant. Most preferably the detergent composition according to the invention is free of anionic surfactant.

Further Non-Ionic Surfactant:

The surfactant system can comprise further non-ionic surfactant. If present, the surfactant system can comprise from 0.5% to 10%, preferably from 1.0% to 8.0%, more preferably from 2.0% to 6.0% by weight of the composition of the further nonionic surfactant.

Suitable further non-ionic surfactants include alkyl alkoxylated non-ionic surfactants, more preferably ethoxylated non-ionic surfactants. Suitable nonionic surfactants include the condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with from 1 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide. The alkyl chain of the aliphatic alcohol can either be straight or branched, primary or secondary, preferably straight

The further nonionic surfactant can be a low-cut alkyl ethoxylate surfactant. Low-cut alcohol ethoxylate surfactants include alcohol ethoxylate surfactants with an average alkyl carbon chain length of C10 and below. More preferably the alkyl ethoxylate surfactant has an average alkyl chain length of between C5 to C8, preferably between C5 to C7, and a number average degree of ethoxylation of from 1 to 10, preferably from 3 to 8, more preferably from 4 to 6. Suitable non-ionic alcohol ethoxylate surfactants include commercially available materials such as Emulan® HE50 or Lutensol® CS6250 (available from BASF).

Most preferably the surfactant system consists of an alkyl glucamide surfactant, an amine oxide surfactant and an alkyl ethoxylate surfactant, especially a low-cut alcohol ethoxylate surfactant as described earlier.

Most preferably the surfactant system consists of i) from 3.0 to 7.5% of an alkyl glucamide surfactant, preferably n-C12C14 alkyl-n-methyl glucamide, ii) 2.0 to 4.0% of an amine oxide surfactant, preferably a C12-C14 dimethyl amine oxide surfactant, and iii) from 2.0% to 6.0% of a low cut alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactant, preferably having an average alkyl chain length of between C5 and C7 and a number average degree of ethoxylation of from 4 to 6.

Other Surfactant:

The compositions of use in the present invention are preferably free of cationic surfactant and especially free of antimicrobial cationic surfactants, since such surfactants are typically detrimental to grease cleaning and surface shine. Such antimicrobial cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium compounds such as dodecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, and mixtures thereof.

Organic Solvent:

For improved penetration and removal of crystalline grease, the composition can comprise an organic solvent. The composition can comprise from 0.1% to 10%, preferably from 1.0% to 8.0%, more preferably from 3.0% to 7.0% by weight of the total composition of the organic solvent.

Suitable organic solvents can be selected from the group consisting of: glycol ether solvents, alcohol solvents, ester solvents, and mixtures thereof, with glycol ether solvents being preferred as they are particularly effective when used in combination with the alkyl glucamide surfactant to remove crystalline grease, and can also improve sudsing.

The surfactant system and the organic solvent are preferably in a weight ratio of from 5:1 to 1:5, preferably from 4:1 to 1:2, most preferably 3:1 to 1:1. Compositions of use in the present invention, having such a weight ratio of surfactant system to organic solvent have been found to provide improved coverage on the dishware with minimum over-spray (residual spray droplets remaining in suspension in the air). Therefore, such spray compositions reduce wastage and minimise the amount of spray droplets which can be inhaled. Compositions having a surfactant:solvent weight ratio lower than 1:5 have been found to be less foaming and/or have a greater tendency to phase separate over time. Compositions having a surfactant:solvent weight ratio higher than 5:1 are typically more difficult to spray and are more prone to gelling when sprayed onto greasy soils, when the soil is not first wetted. Such gel formation inhibits the spreading of the composition onto the greasy surface and hence leads to less satisfactory cleaning.

Suitable glycol ether solvents can be selected from the group consisting of:

• • a) Formula I: R1O(R2O)nR3,
    • R1 is a linear or branched C4, C5 or C6 alkyl or a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, R2 is ethyl or isopropyl, R3 is hydrogen or methyl and n is 1, 2 or 3;
  • b) Formula II: R4O(R5O)nR6,
    • R4 is n-propyl or isopropyl, R5 is isopropyl, R6 is hydrogen or methyl and n is 1, 2 or 3; and
  • c) mixtures thereof

Suitable alcohol solvents can be selected from the group consisting of: C4-C6 linear mono-alcohols, branched C4-C10 mono-alcohols having one or more C1-C4 branching groups, alkyl mono-glycerols, and mixtures thereof

Suitable ester solvents can be selected from the group consisting of glycol ethers of:

• • a) monoesters having the formula R1C=00R2, wherein R1 is a linear or branched C1 to C4 alkyl, and R2 is a linear or branched C2 to C8 alkyl;
  • b) di- or tri-esters having the formula R1(C═OOR2)n,
    • R1 is a saturated or unsaturated C2 to C4 alkyl, R2 is independently selected from a linear or branched C2 to C8 alkyl, and n is 2 or 3;
  • c) benzylbenzoate; and
  • d) mixtures thereof.

The surfactant system and the organic solvent can be in a weight ratio of from 5:1 to 1:5, preferably from 4:1 to 1:2, most preferably 3:1 to 1:1.

Suitable glycol ether solvents can be selected from glycol ethers of Formula I, Formula II, and mixtures thereof:

• • a) Formula I=R1O(R2O)nR3
  • wherein
  • R1 is a linear or branched C4, C5 or C6 alkyl, a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, preferably n-butyl. Benzyl is one of the substituted phenyls for use herein.
  • R2 is ethyl or isopropyl, preferably isopropyl
  • R3 is hydrogen or methyl, preferably hydrogen
  • n is 1, 2 or 3, preferably 1 or 2
  • b) Formula II=R4O(R5O)nR6
  • wherein
  • R4 is n-propyl or isopropyl, preferably n-propyl
  • R5 is isopropyl
  • R6 is hydrogen or methyl, preferably hydrogen
  • n is 1, 2 or 3 preferably 1 or 2

Suitable glycol ether solvents according to Formula I include ethyleneglycol n-butyl ether, diethyleneglycol n-butyl ether, triethyleneglycol n-butyl ether, propyleneglycol n-butyl ether, dipropyleneglycol n-butyl ether, tripropyleneglycol n-butyl ether, ethyleneglycol n-pentyl ether, diethyleneglycol n-pentyl ether, triethyleneglycol n-pentyl ether, propyleneglycol n-pentyl ether, dipropyleneglycol n-pentyl ether, tripropyleneglycol n-pentyl ether, ethyleneglycol n-hexyl ether, diethyleneglycol n-hexyl ether, triethyleneglycol n-hexyl ether, propyleneglycol n-hexyl ether, dipropyleneglycol n-hexyl ether, tripropyleneglycol n-hexyl ether, ethyleneglycol phenyl ether, diethyleneglycol phenyl ether, triethyleneglycol phenyl ether, propyleneglycol phenyl ether, dipropyleneglycol phenyl ether, tripropyleneglycol phenyl ether, ethyleneglycol benzyl ether, diethyleneglycol benzyl ether, triethyleneglycol benzyl ether, propyleneglycol benzyl ether, dipropyleneglycol benzyl ether, tripropyleneglycol benzyl ether, ethyleneglycol isobutyl ether, diethyleneglycol isobutyl ether, triethyleneglycol isobutyl ether, propyleneglycol isobutyl ether, dipropyleneglycol isobutyl ether, tripropyleneglycol isobutyl ether, ethyleneglycol isopentyl ether, diethyleneglycol isopentyl ether, triethyleneglycol isopentyl ether, propyleneglycol isopentyl ether, dipropyleneglycol isopentyl ether, tripropyleneglycol isopentyl ether, ethyleneglycol isohexyl ether, diethyleneglycol isohexyl ether, triethyleneglycol isohexyl ether, propyleneglycol isohexyl ether, dipropyleneglycol isohexyl ether, tripropyleneglycol isohexyl ether, ethyleneglycol n-butyl methyl ether, diethyleneglycol n-butyl methyl ether triethyleneglycol n-butyl methyl ether, propyleneglycol n-butyl methyl ether, dipropyleneglycol n-butyl methyl ether, tripropyleneglycol n-butyl methyl ether, ethyleneglycol n-pentyl methyl ether, diethyleneglycol n-pentyl methyl ether, triethyleneglycol n-pentyl methyl ether, propyleneglycol n-pentyl methyl ether, dipropyleneglycol n-pentyl methyl ether, tripropyleneglycol n-pentyl methyl ether, ethyleneglycol n-hexyl methyl ether, diethyleneglycol n-hexyl methyl ether, triethyleneglycol n-hexyl methyl ether, propyleneglycol n-hexyl methyl ether, dipropyleneglycol n-hexyl methyl ether, tripropyleneglycol n-hexyl methyl ether, ethyleneglycol phenyl methyl ether, diethyleneglycol phenyl methyl ether, triethyleneglycol phenyl methyl ether, propyleneglycol phenyl methyl ether, dipropyleneglycol phenyl methyl ether, tripropyleneglycol phenyl methyl ether, ethyleneglycol benzyl methyl ether, diethyleneglycol benzyl methyl ether, triethyleneglycol benzyl methyl ether, propyleneglycol benzyl methyl ether, dipropyleneglycol benzyl methyl ether, tripropyleneglycol benzyl methyl ether, ethyleneglycol isobutyl methyl ether, diethyleneglycol isobutyl methyl ether, triethyleneglycol isobutyl methyl ether, propyleneglycol isobutyl methyl ether, dipropyleneglycol isobutyl methyl ether, tripropyleneglycol isobutyl methyl ether, ethyleneglycol isopentyl methyl ether, diethyleneglycol isopentyl methyl ether, triethyleneglycol isopentyl methyl ether, propyleneglycol isopentyl methyl ether, dipropyleneglycol isopentyl methyl ether, tripropyleneglycol isopentyl methyl ether, ethyleneglycol isohexyl methyl ether, diethyleneglycol isohexyl methyl ether, triethyleneglycol isohexyl methyl ether, propyleneglycol isohexyl methyl ether, dipropyleneglycol isohexyl methyl ether, tripropyleneglycol isohexyl methyl ether, and mixtures thereof.

Preferred glycol ether solvents according to Formula I are ethyleneglycol n-butyl ether, diethyleneglycol n-butyl ether, triethyleneglycol n-butyl ether, propyleneglycol n-butyl ether, dipropyleneglycol n-butyl ether, tripropyleneglycol n-butyl ether, and mixtures thereof.

The most preferred glycol ether solvents according to Formula I are propyleneglycol n-butyl ether, dipropyleneglycol n-butyl ether, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable glycol ether solvents according to Formula II include propyleneglycol n-propyl ether, dipropyleneglycol n-propyl ether, tripropyleneglycol n-propyl ether, propyleneglycol isopropyl ether, dipropyleneglycol isopropyl ether, tripropyleneglycol isopropyl ether, propyleneglycol n-propyl methyl ether, dipropyleneglycol n-propyl methyl ether, tripropyleneglycol n-propyl methyl ether, propyleneglycol isopropyl methyl ether, dipropyleneglycol isopropyl methyl ether, tripropyleneglycol isopropyl methyl ether, and mixtures thereof.

Preferred glycol ether solvents according to Formula II are propyleneglycol n-propyl ether, dipropyleneglycol n-propyl ether, and mixtures thereof.

The most preferred glycol ether solvents are propyleneglycol n-butyl ether, dipropyleneglycol n-butyl ether, and mixtures thereof, especially dipropyleneglycol n-butyl ether.

Suitable glycol ether solvents can be purchased from The Dow Chemical Company, in particularly from the E-series (ethylene glycol based) Glycol Ether and the P-series (propylene glycol based) Glycol Ether line-ups. Suitable glycol ether solvents include Butyl Carbitol, Hexyl Carbitol, Butyl Cellosolve, Hexyl Cellosolve, Butoxytriglycol, Dowanol Eph, Dowanol PnP, Dowanol DPnP, Dowanol PnB, Dowanol DPnB, Dowanol TPnB, Dowanol PPh, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable alcohols can be selected from the group consisting of C4-C6 linear mono-alcohols, branched C4-C10 mono-alcohols having one or more C1-C4 branching groups, alkyl mono-glycerols, and mixtures thereof.

Preferred C4-C6 linear mono-alcohols are selected from pentanol, hexanol, and mixtures thereof, preferably 1-pentanol, 1-hexanol, and mixtures thereof.

Preferred branched C4-C10 mono-alcohols having one or more C1-C4 branching groups for use herein are C4-C8 primary mono-alcohols having one or more C1-C4 branching groups, and mixtures thereof. Especially preferred branched C4-C10 mono-alcohols having one or more C1-C4 branching groups for use herein include methyl butanol, ethyl butanol, methyl pentanol, ethyl pentanol, methyl hexanol, ethyl hexanol, propyl hexanol, dimethyl hexanol trimethyl hexanol, methyl hepanol, ethyl heptanol, propyl heptanol, dimethyl heptanol, trimethyl heptanol, methyl octanol, ethyl octanol, propyl octanol, butyl octanol, dimethyl octanol, trimethyl octanol, methyl nonanol, ethyl nonanol, propyl nonanol, butyl nonanol, dimethyl nonanol and trimethyl nonanol, and mixtures thereof. More preferred for use herein are the primary 1-alcohol member of branched C4-C10 mono-alcohols having one or more C1-C4 branching groups, especially preferred are the primary 1-alcohol family members of methyl butanol, ethyl butanol, methyl pentanol, ethyl pentanol, methyl hexanol, ethyl hexanol, propyl hexanol, dimethyl hexanol trimethyl hexanol, methyl hepanol, ethyl heptanol, propyl heptanol, dimethyl heptanol, trimethyl heptanol, methyl octanol, ethyl octanol, propyl octanol, butyl octanol, dimethyl octanol, trimethyl octanol, methyl nonanol, ethyl nonanol, propyl nonanol, butyl nonanol, dimethyl nonanol, trimethyl nonanol, and mixtures thereof.

More preferred alcohols are butyl octanol, trimethyl hexanol, ethyl hexanol, propyl heptanol, methyl butanol, and mixtures thereof, in particular the primary 1-alcohol family member, more in particular ethyl hexanol, butyl octanol, trimethyl hexanol, and mixtures thereof, especially 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, 2-butyl-1-octanol, 3,5,5 trimethyl-1-hexanol, and mixtures thereof.

Preferred alkyl mono-glycerols are selected from the group consisting of branched alkyl mono-glycerols and mixtures thereof, more preferably branched C4-C8 alkyl mono-glycerols with one or more C1 to C4 alkyl branching groups, more preferably selected from the group consisting of ethylhexylglycerol, propylheptylglycerol, and mixtures thereof, most preferably 2-ethylhexylglycerol.

Such alcohols can also improve sudsing.

Especially preferred for use herein are mixtures of mono-alcohols, in particular mixtures comprising a branched C4-C10 mono-alcohol, more in particular mixtures comprising an alcohol selected from the group comprising C4-C8 more preferably C6-C7 branched primary alcohols. Preferably for use is a mixture of alcohols comprising an alcohol selected from the group comprising C4-C8 branched primary alcohols with an alcohol selected of the group of C4-C6 linear mono-alcohols and alkylglycerols. Such mixtures can boost foaming and improve cleaning of various oily soils.

Suitable ester solvents can be selected from the group consisting of monoester solvents of Formula III, di- or triester solvents of formula IV, benzylbenzoate, and mixtures thereof.

a) Monoester solvents of formula III: R1C═OOR2, wherein:

R1 is a linear of branched C1 to C4 alkyl, preferably a linear or branched C2 to C3 alkyl;

R2 is a linear or branched C2 to C8 alkyl, preferably a linear or branched C2 to C6 alkyl, most preferably a linear of branched C3 to C4 alkyl;

b) Di- or triester solvents of formula IV: R1(C═OOR2)n, wherein:

R1 is a saturated or unsaturated C2 to C4 alkyl;

R2 is independently selected from a linear or branched C2 to C8 alkyl, preferably a linear or branched C2 to C6 alkyl, most preferably a linear of branched C3 to C4 alkyl;

n is 2 or 3 preferably 2;

Suitable monoester solvents of formula III include but are not limited to ethylacetate, propylacetate, isopropylacetate, butylacetate, isobutylacetate, amylacetate, isoamylacetate, hexylacetate, isohexylacetate, heptylacetate, isoheptylacetate, octylacetate, isooctylacetate, 2-ethylhexylacetate, ethylpropionate, propylpropionate, isopropylpropionate, butylpropionate, isobutylpropionate, amylpropionate, isoamylpropionate, hexylpropionate, isohexylpropionate, heptylpropionate, isoheptylpropionate, octylpropionate, isooctylpropionate, 2-ethylhexylpropionate, ethylbutyrate, propylbutyrate, isopropylbutyrate, butylbutyrate, isobutylbutyrate, amylbutyrate, isoamylbutyrate, hexylbutyrate, isohexylbutyrate, heptylbutyrate, isoheptylbutyrate, octylbutyrate, isooctylbutyrate, 2-ethylhexylbutyrate, ethylisobutyrate, propylisobutyrate, isopropylisobutyrate, butylisobutyrate, isobutylisobutyrate, amylisobutyrate, isoamylisobutyrate, hexylisobutyrate, isohexylisobutyrate, heptylisobutyrate, isoheptylisobutyrate, octylisobutyrate, isooctylisobutyrate, 2-ethylhexylisobutyrate, ethylpentanoate, propylpentanoate, isopropylpentanoate, butylpentanoate, isobutylpentanoate, amylpentanoate, isoamylpentanoate, hexylpentanoate, isohexylpentanoate, heptylpentanoate, isoheptylpentanoate, octylpentanoate, isooctylpentanoate, 2-ethylhexylpentanoate, ethylisopentanoate, propylisopentanoate, isopropylisopentanoate, butylisopentanoate, isobutylisopentanoate, amylisopentanoate, isoamylisopentanoate, hexylisopentanoate, isohexylisopentanoate, heptylisopentanoate, isoheptylisopentanoate, octylisopentanoate, isooctylisopentanoate, 2-ethylhexylisopentanoate, and mixtures thereof.

Preferred monoester solvents of formula III can be selected from the group consisting of ethylpropionate, propylpropionate, isopropylpropionate, butylpropionate, isobutylpropionate, amylpropionate, isoamylpropionate, hexylpropionate, isohexylpropionate, ethylbutyrate, propylbutyrate, isopropylbutyrate, butylbutyrate, isobutylbutyrate, amylbutyrate, isoamylbutyrate, hexylbutyrate, isohexylbutyrate, ethylisobutyrate, propylisobutyrate, isopropylisobutyrate, butylisobutyrate, isobutylisobutyrate, amylisobutyrate, isoamylisobutyrate, hexylisobutyrate, isohexylisobutyrate, and mixtures thereof.

Most preferably, the monoester solvents are selected from the group consisting of propylpropionate, isopropylpropionate, butylpropionate, isobutylpropionate, propylbutyrate, isopropylbutyrate, butylbutyrate, isobutylbutyrate, propylisobutyrate, isopropylisobutyrate, butylisobutyrate, isobutylisobutyrate, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable di- or tri-ester solvents of formula IV can be selected from: ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-, amyl-, isoamyl-, hexyl-, isohexyl-, heptyl-, isoheptyl, octyl-, isooctyl-, 2-ethylhexy-di- or tri-esters of succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, glutaconic acid, citric acid, aconitic acid, propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof.

Preferred di- or tri-ester solvents are selected from the group consisting of ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-, amyl-, isoamyl-, hexyl-, isohexyl-di- or tri-esters of succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, glutaconic acid, citric acid, aconitic acid, propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof.

More preferably, the di- or tri-ester solvents are selected from the group consisting of ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl-, isobutyl-di- or tri-esters of succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, glutaconic acid, citric acid, aconitic acid, propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof.

Further Optional Ingredients:

Chelant:

The composition herein may optionally further comprise a chelant at a level of from 0.1% to 10%, preferably from 0.2% to 5%, more preferably from 0.2% to 3%, most preferably from 0.5% to 1.5% by weight of the composition.

Suitable chelating agents can be selected from the group consisting of amino carboxylates, amino phosphonates, polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents and mixtures thereof.

Amino carboxylates include ethylenediaminetetra-acetates, N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilo-triacetates, ethylenediamine tetraproprionates, triethylenetetraaminehexacetates, diethylenetriaminepentaacetates, and ethanoldiglycines, alkali metal, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts therein and mixtures therein, as well as MGDA (methyl-glycine-diacetic acid), and salts and derivatives thereof and GLDA (glutamic-N,N-diacetic acid) and salts and derivatives thereof. GLDA (salts and derivatives thereof) is especially preferred according to the invention, with the tetrasodium salt thereof being especially preferred.

Builder:

The composition herein may comprise a builder, preferably a carboxylate builder. Salts of carboxylic acids useful herein include salts of C1-6 linear or at least 3 carbon containing cyclic acids. The linear or cyclic carbon-containing chain of the carboxylic acid or salt thereof may be substituted with a substituent group selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, ester, ether, aliphatic groups having from 1 to 6, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof.

Preferred salts of carboxylic acids are those selected from the salts from the group consisting of salicylic acid, maleic acid, acetyl salicylic acid, 3 methyl salicylic acid, 4 hydroxy isophthalic acid, dihydroxyfumaric acid, 1,2,4 benzene tricarboxylic acid, pentanoic acid, citric acid, and mixtures thereof, preferably citric acid.

Alternative carboxylate builders suitable for use in the composition of the invention includes salts of fatty acids like palm kernel derived fatty acids or coconut derived fatty acid, or salts of polycarboxylic acids.

The cation of the salt is preferably selected from alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine or triethanolamine and mixtures thereof, preferably sodium.

The carboxylic acid or salt thereof, when present, is preferably present at the level of from 0.05% to 5%, more preferably from 0.1% to 1% by weight of the total composition.

Hydrotropes

The composition according to the invention might further comprise a hydrotrope. Preferably the hydrotrope is selected from cumene sulphonate, xylene sulphonate, toluene sulphonate, most preferably sodium neutralized cumene sulphonate. When present the hydrotrope is formulated from 0.1% to 5%, preferably from 0.25% to 3%, most preferably from 0.5% to 2% by weight of the detergent composition.

Shear Thinning Rheology Modifier:

The composition according to the invention might further comprise a rheology modifying agent, providing a shear thinning rheology profile to the product. Formulating with a rheology modifying polymer can improve particle size distribution of the resultant spray, as well as mitigating any stinging effect of the spray droplets. Preferably the rheology modifying agent is a non crystalline polymeric rheology modifier. This polymeric rheology modifier can be a synthetic or a naturally derived polymer.

Examples of naturally derived polymeric structurants of use in the present invention include: hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, polysaccharide derivatives and mixtures thereof. Polysaccharide derivatives include but are not limited to pectine, alginate, arabinogalactan (gum Arabic), carrageenan, gum karaya, gum tragacanth, gellan gum, xanthan gum and guar gum. Examples of synthetic polymeric structurants of use in the present invention include polymers and copolymers comprising polycarboxylates, polyacrylates, polyurethanes, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyols and derivatives and mixtures thereof. Alternatively the composition of use in the invention can comprise a polyethylenoxide (PEO) polymer.

Preferably the composition according to the invention comprises a rheology modifying polymer selected from a naturally derived rheology modifying polymer, most preferably Xanthan Gum, a polyethylenoxide, or mixtures thereof.

Generally, the rheology modifying polymer will be comprised at a level of from 0.001% to 1% by weight, alternatively from 0.01% to 0.5% by weight, more alternatively from 0.05% to 0.25% by weight of the composition.

Other Ingredients:

The composition herein may comprise a number of optional ingredients such as rheology trimming agents selected from inorganic salts preferably sodium chloride, C2-C4 alcohols, C2-C4 polyols, poly alkylene glycols and especially polypropyleneglycols having a weight average molecular weight of from 1500 to 4,000, and mixtures thereof.

The compositions of the present invention can comprise a cleaning amine such as a cyclic cleaning amine The term “cyclic diamine” herein encompasses a single cleaning amine and a mixture thereof. The amine can be subjected to protonation depending on the pH of the cleaning medium in which it is used. Especially preferred for use herein are cyclic diamines selected from the group consisting of 1,3-bis(methylamine)-cyclohexane, 2-methylcyclohexane-1,3-diamine, 4-methylcyclohexane-1,3-diamine and mixtures thereof. 1,3-bis(methylamine)-cyclohexane is especially preferred for use herein. Mixtures of 2-methylcyclohexane-1,3-diamine, 4-methylcyclohexane-1,3-diamine are also preferred for use herein.

The composition might also comprise pH trimming and/or buffering agents such as sodium hydroxyde, alkanolamines including monoethanolamine, and bicarbonate inorganic salts. The composition might comprise further minor ingredients selected from preservatives, UV stabilizers, antioxidants, perfumes, coloring agents and mixtures thereof.

Spray Dispenser:

The spray dispenser comprises a reservoir to accommodate the composition of the invention and spraying means. Suitable spray dispensers include hand pump (sometimes referred to as “trigger”) devices, pressurized can devices, electrostatic spray devices, etc, Preferably the spray dispenser is non-pressurized and the spray means are of the trigger dispensing type. That is, the spray dispenser is preferably a “non-aerosol” spray dispenser. Such aerosol spray dispensers typically require a propellant. In addition, they typically require either metal cans, or non-recyclable plastic cans and as such, are generally not considered suitable for “naturals” propositions. The reservoir is typically a container such as a bottle, more typically a plastic bottle.

The cleaning product of the invention includes the cleaning composition. The cleaning composition is typically suitable for spraying from the spray dispenser onto the dish surface to be treated (“direct application”). The composition preferably forms a foam on the surface immediately upon application without requiring any additional physical (e.g., manual rubbing) intervention.

The spray dispenser typically comprises a trigger lever which, once depressed, activates a small pump. The main moving element of the pump is typically a piston, housed inside a cylinder, with the piston pressing against a spring. By depressing the trigger, the piston is pushed into the cylinder and against the spring, compressing the spring, and forcing the composition contained within the pump out of a nozzle. Once the trigger lever is released, the spring pushes the piston back out, expanding the cylinder area, and sucking the composition from the reservoir, typically through a one-way valve, and refilling the pump. This pump is typically attached to a tube that draws the composition from the reservoir into the pump. The spray dispenser can comprise a further one-way valve, situated between the pump and the nozzle.

The nozzle comprises an orifice through which the composition is dispensed. The nozzle utilises the kinetic energy of the composition to break it up into droplets as it passes through the orifice. Suitable nozzles can be plain, or shaped, or comprise a swirl chamber immediately before the orifice. Such swirl chambers induce a rotary fluid motion to the composition which causes swirling of the composition in the swirl chamber. A film is discharged from the perimeter of the orifice which typically results in dispensing the composition from the orifice as finer droplets.

Since such trigger-activated spray dispensers comprise a pump, the composition preferably is not pressurized within the reservoir and preferably does not comprise a propellant.

The spray dispenser can be a pre-compression sprayer which comprises a pressurized buffer for the composition, and a pressure-activated one-way valve between the buffer and the spray nozzle. Such precompression sprayers provide a more uniform spray distribution and more uniform spray droplet size since the composition is sprayed at a more uniform pressure. Such pre-compression sprayers include the Flairosol® spray dispenser, manufactured and sold by Afa Dispensing Group (The Netherlands) and the pre-compression trigger sprayers described in U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2013/0112766 and 2012/0048959.

Method of Use:

The cleaning products, as described herein, are particularly suited for methods of cleaning dishware comprising the steps of: optionally pre-wetting the dishware; spraying the cleaning composition onto the dishware; optionally scrubbing the dishware; and rinsing the dishware.

The cleaning products described herein are particularly effective at loosening soils, and especially greasy soils. As such, especially for light soiling, scrubbing is optional, and particularly when the dishware is left for at least 15 seconds, preferably at least 30 seconds after the spray step, before the rinsing step is done.

The steps of scrubbing of the dishware and rinsing the dishware can take place at least partially simultaneously, for example, by scrubbing the dishware under running water or when the dishware is submerged in water. The scrubbing step can take between 1 second and 30 seconds.

The present method allows for faster and easier cleaning of dishware when the dishware is lightly soiled. When the dishware is heavily soiled with tough food soils such as cooked-, baked- or burnt-on soils, the present method facilitates the cleaning when the soiled dishware is soaked with the product of the invention in neat form or diluted in water, preferably for a period of from 1 second to 30 seconds, or longer.

Methods

A) Reserve Alkalinity:

Reserve alkalinity is defined as the grams of NaOH per 100 g of composition required to titrate the test composition at pH 10 to come to the test composition pH. The reserve alkalinity for a solution is determined in the following manner.

A pH meter (for example An Orion Model 720A) with a Ag/AgCl electrode (for example an Orion sure flow Electrode model 9172BN) is calibrated using standardized pH 7 and pH 10 buffers. A 100 g of a 10% solution in distilled water at 20° C. of the composition to be tested is prepared. The pH of the 10% solution is measured and the 100 g solution is titrated down to pH 10 using a standardized solution of 0.1 N of HCl. The volume of 0.1N HCl required is recorded in ml.

The reserve alkalinity is calculated as follows:

Reserve Alkalinity=ml 0.1N HCl×0.1(equivalent/liter)×Equivalent weight NaOH (g/equivalent)×10

B) Viscosity:

The rheology profile is measured using a “TA instruments DHR1” rheometer, using a cone and plate geometry with a flat steel Peltier plate and a 60 mm diameter, 2.026° cone (TA instruments, serial number: SN960912). The viscosity measurement procedure includes a conditioning step and a sweep step at 20° C. The conditioning step consists of a 10 seconds at zero shear at 20° C., followed by pre-shearing for 10 seconds at 10 s⁻¹ at 20° C., followed by 30 seconds at zero shear at 20° C. in order for the sample to equilibrate. The sweep step comprises a logarithmical shear rate increase in log steps starting from 0.01 s⁻¹ to 3,000 s⁻¹ at 20° C., with a 10 points per decade acquisition rate taken in a sample period of 15 s, after a maximum equilibration time of 200 seconds (determined by the rheometer, based on a set tolerance of 3%). When measuring shear thinning product compositions, the high shear viscosity is defined at a shear rate of 1,000 s⁻¹, and the low shear viscosity at a shear rate of 0.1 s⁻¹. For Newtonian product compositions the shear rate is recorded at 1,000 s⁻¹.

C) Initial Foam Volume:

To be able to cross-compare the initial foam volume creation and foam mileage potential of a range of test formulations, these test formulations are sequentially placed within the same trigger sprayer, which is held under a fixed 45° angle with the spray nozzle being positioned at the centre top of an open 500 ml graduated conical beaker (Kartell® Art 1424, conical beaker). The sprayer bottle is consequently sprayed 10 times and the amount of foam volume created (ml) as well as the total weight of sprayed product is measured. The foam volume divided by the weight of the sprayed sample value is calculated and averaged for 3 test replicates for each product—spray bottle combination. The foam volume is re-measured every 5 minutes for a total of at least 25 minutes.

D) % Crystalline Grease Removal:

To be able to cross-compare the crystalline grease removal and anti-redeposition potential of a range of test formulae, the test formulae are sprayed onto soiled substrates comprising a crystalline greasy soil, and the % removal and anti-redeposition after a cleaning test is assessed gravimetrically by measuring the weight of a soiled and unsoiled (at start of test) substrate prior and after the cleaning test:

The crystalline greasy soil that was used comprised a mixture of CABF (Consumer Average Beef Fat, L2802405/200B3/E3 supplied by: J&R coordinating services Inc, Ohio, USA) and a fat soluble dye added at a level of 0.05 wt % (Dye EGN Oil Red:CAS: 4477-79-6, Sigma Aldrich Ref. 234117). The crystalline greasy soil was prepared by melting the CABF in a 50° C. oven until the fully liquefied, before mixing in the dye.

The soiled substrates were prepared as follows:

A non-woven polypropylene plastic substrate (#2866/6589 ex Avgol Ltd Tel Aviv, Israel), was used to mimic a plastic surface (such as Tupperware®), is cut into 4.5 cm by 4.5 cm squares, and the individual weight of the squares was recorded. 200 μl of the melted greasy soil (at 50° C.) was applied using a micropipette to the center of the PP non-woven plastic substrate and left to solidify at room temperature, after which the weights of the squares were remeasured in order to determine the amount of crystalline greasy soil deposited on the square.

The cleaning test was carried out as follows:

• • For each test leg, 3 jars (125 mm height and 77 mm diameter) were each filled with 200 ml of water at the desired water hardness (2 or 15 dH) and temperature (25 or 35 C) together with 3 marble balls (15 mm diameter) to provide some mechanical agitation.
  • The test solution was sprayed once (one full trigger depression in approximately 1 second, to yield about 1.4 g of composition sprayed) using a Flairosol® sprayer (supplied by AFA) onto the crystalline greasy soil stain on three of the treated substrates and left to act for 4 minutes prior to adding the 3 treated substrates and one untreated (clean) substrate to each jar of water. The jars were closed, attached via their closing cap to a horizontal bar and then allowed to tumble around the horizontal central bar for 5 minutes at a 40 rpm tumbling speed. After this cleaning step, the individual treated substrates and the untreated (“clean”) substrate were removed and re-added to a jar filled with 200 ml clean water and re-tumbled for another 5 minutes to mimic a rinsing step. After the rinsing step, all the substrates were removed from each jar and placed on a metallic rack to be dried at constant humidity (35% RH) and temperature (21° C.) for at least 2 days after which each individual substrate was re-weighed. The percentage stain removal was determined on the originally treated (“stained”) substrates and was calculated as follows:

$\%\mathrm{Removed}=\frac{\begin{array}{c}(\mathrm{substrate}\mathrm{weight}\mathrm{after}\mathrm{staining}-\\ \mathrm{weight}\mathrm{after}\mathrm{drying})\end{array}}{\begin{array}{c}(\mathrm{Substrate}\mathrm{weight}\mathrm{after}\mathrm{staining}-\\ \mathrm{Weight}\mathrm{before}\mathrm{staining})\end{array}}\times 100$

The percentage stain redeposition was determined on the originally untreated (“clean”) substrate and was calculated as follows:

$\%\mathrm{Redeposition}=\frac{\begin{array}{c}(\mathrm{Substrate}\mathrm{weight}\mathrm{after}\mathrm{test}-\\ \mathrm{Substrate}\mathrm{weight}\mathrm{before}\mathrm{test})\end{array}}{\mathrm{Substrate}\mathrm{weight}\mathrm{before}\mathrm{test}}\times 100$

EXAMPLES

The initial foam production, foam mileage and crystalline grease removal as well as anti-redeposition efficacy was assessed for a liquid detergent spray formula comprising a surfactant system according to the invention (Example 1) and a comparative composition outside the scope of the invention (Example A):

Inventive example 1 comprised n-C12-C14-n-methylglucamide as the main surfactant and amine oxide as the co-surfactant. Comparative Example A differed from Inventive Example 1 by comprising C12 to C14 alkylethoxy (3.0) sulphate anionic surfactant as the main surfactant instead of an alkyl glucamide surfactant.

TABLE 1
Liquid spray detergent compositions
	Ex 1	Ex A*
	n-C12-C14-n-methylglucamide	6.54	—
	(Glucopure ® Foam ex Clariant)
	C1214AE3S anionic surfactant	—	6.54
	C1214 dimethylamine oxide	2.46	2.46
	C6EO5 nonionic surfactant1	5.00	5.00
	Monoethanolamine	0.50	0.50
	GLDA chelant	1.00	1.00
	Citric acid	0.12	0.12
	PPG (MW 2000)	0.05	0.05
	ethanol	0.34	0.34
	DPnB glycol ether solvent	5.00	5.00
	phenoxyethanol	0.30	0.30
	perfume	0.35	0.35
	water	78.34	78.34
	pH (neat)	11.0	11.0
	*Comparative
	1Lutensol CS6250, supplied by BASF

Both compositions were tested using the same spray dispenser, available from the AFA company, under the Flairosol® tradename As can be seen from the data below, Example 1, which comprised alkyl glucamide as the main surfactant, resulted in improved initial foam volume as well as improved crystalline grease removal, in comparison to comparative example A, which comprised AES anionic surfactant as the main surfactant. As can be seen from the data below, the initial foam volume benefit does not come at the expense of foam mileage, as demonstrated by a flat foam mileage profile between both test legs towards the end of the test. From the data, it can also be seen that the improvement in crystalline grease cleaning is especially present when hard water is used, while solely marginal under soft water conditions. Under both wash conditions however a significantly improved soil anti-redeposition profile (the lower the better) has been observed despite the larger amount of free soil being present in the wash solution due to the increased % soil removal.

	Ex 1	Ex A
	Initial foam volume (ml/g)	20.3	11.6
	Foam milage (ml/g)
	5 minutes	17.9	9.8
	10 minutes	8.7	7.7
	15 minutes	2.7	3.0
	20 minutes	1.4	1.5
	25 minutes	0.8	0.8
	30 minutes	0.6	0.5
	% crystalline grease removal	59.1	13.1
	@15 dH (2.67 mmol/l) water
	hardness (35° C.)
	% crystalline grease redeposition	5.0	69.0
	@ 15 dH (2.67 mmol/l) water
	hardness (35° C.)
	% crystalline grease removal	15.1	7.6
	@2 dH (0.36 mmol/l) water
	hardness (35° C.)
	% crystalline grease redeposition	34.0	56.2
	@2 dH (0.36 mmol/l) water
	hardness (35° C.)

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”.

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A cleaning product comprising a spray dispenser and a cleaning composition, the composition is housed in the spray dispenser and wherein the cleaning composition comprises:

a. about 5% to about 25% by weight of the composition of a surfactant system comprising: i. at least one alkyl glucamide surfactant, wherein the alkyl glucamide surfactant has the formula:

wherein in formula (I): R1 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl chain comprising from 8 to 18 carbon atoms; and R2 is an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and ii. a co-surfactant selected from amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant and mixtures thereof;

wherein the alkyl glucamide surfactant and the co-surfactant are present at a weight ratio of from about 10:1 to about 1:2, and

wherein the surfactant system comprises less than 3.0% by weight of the cleaning composition of anionic surfactant.

2. The cleaning product according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises from about 7% to about 20% by weight thereof of the surfactant system.

3. The cleaning product according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning composition comprises the alkyl glucamide surfactant at a level of from about 2.0% to about 12% by weight of the composition.

4. The cleaning product according to claim 3, wherein the cleaning composition comprises the alkyl glucamide surfactant at a level of from about 3.0% to about 7.5% by weight of the composition.

5. The cleaning product according to claim 1, wherein in the alkyl glucamide surfactant, R1 is a C8-C18 alkyl chain.

6. The cleaning product according to claim 5, wherein in the alkyl glucamide surfactant, R1 is a C10-C16 alkyl chain.

7. The cleaning product according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning composition comprises the co-surfactant at a level of from about 0.5 to about 5.0% by weight of the composition.

8. The cleaning product according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning composition comprises the co-surfactant at a level of from about 2.0 to about 4.0% by weight of the composition.

9. The cleaning product according to claim 1, wherein the co-surfactant is an amphoteric surfactant selected from amine oxide surfactant.

10. The cleaning product according to claim 9, wherein the amine oxide surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: alkyl dimethyl amine oxide, alkyl amido propyl dimethyl amine oxide, and mixtures thereof.

11. The cleaning product according to claim 1, wherein the co-surfactant is a zwitterionic surfactant selected from betaine surfactant.

12. The cleaning product according to claim 11, wherein the betaine surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: cocamidopropyl betaine, cocobetaines, lauramidopropyl betaine, lauryl betaine, myristyl amidopropyl betaine, myristyl betaine, and mixtures thereof.

13. The cleaning product according to claim 1, wherein the alkyl glucamide surfactant and co-surfactant are present at a weight ratio of from greater than about 1:1 to about 10:1.

14. The cleaning product according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant system comprises a further nonionic surfactant at a level of from 0.5% to 10% by weight of the composition.

15. The cleaning product according to claim 9, wherein the further nonionic surfactant is an alkyl ethoxylate surfactant.

16. The cleaning product according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant system comprises less than about 2.0% by weight of the cleaning composition of anionic surfactant.

17. The cleaning product according to claim 16, wherein the surfactant is free from anionic surfactant.

18. The cleaning product according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the composition of the organic solvent.

19. The composition according to claim 16, wherein the organic solvent is selected from the group consisting of: glycol ether solvents, alcohol solvents, ester solvents, and mixtures thereof.

20. A method of cleaning dishware using the cleaning product according to claim 1, comprising the steps of:

a) optionally pre-wetting the dishware;

b) spraying the cleaning composition onto the dishware;

c) optionally scrubbing the dishware; and

d) rinsing the dishware.